As Folarin Balogun leans back into his chair and broadens his shoulders before his interview with football.london, he appears perfectly at ease. It’s slightly ironic as this is the exact sensation he came to France to get away from.
After the end of an intense loan spell at Middlesbrough and limited game time on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of America, the 21-year-old had a decision to make. Traditionally a player in his position might have looked to continue his development closer to their comfort zone. Balogun however, wanted to take a “risk".
The decision was taken to swap the tumultuousness of London for the tranquillity of Reims. Armed with little more than the “bonjour” and “ça va” he had learned in GCSE French, Balogun headed to the Champagne country for the season hoping to pop the cork on his undoubted potential. Thus far it couldn’t have gone much better for him.
